Bwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament Dr. Jonas Chanda says energy is key to sustained economic growth, diversification and job creation as it is a major input into production for key sectors like Manufacturing, Mining, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Households.
Dr. Chanda has commended the government for investing heavily in the electricity subsector through huge hydroelectricity projects like the 750MW Kafue Gorge Lower Hydro Power Station, upgrading of Lusiwasi Hydro Power Project, and for commencing the preparatory process for construction of the 2,400MW Batoka Hydro Power Plant to be co-financed by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Lawmaker says it is pleasing that government has embarked on diversification of the energy mix by supporting alternative energy projects like Solar, Thermal and Coal which will contribute more megawatts to the National Electricity Grid, and drive the National Industrialisation Policy.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda says in line with the country’s national trade policy, Zambia should aim to be a net exporter of electricity to countries in the SADC, COMESA, EAC and the newly created African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) due to the huge hydroelectricity and renewable energy potential the country is endowed with.
In the Petroleum Subsector, Dr Chanda has commended government for constantly looking for cheaper oil sources for the Zambia including the recently signed Angola-Zambia Oil Pipeline Deal and the import of cheap oil from Saudi Arabia.
He says the Angola-Zambia Oil Pipeline Deal would cut down costs compared to the current 1,710Km TAZAMA Oil Pipeline.
He has urged government to finalize the Petroleum Management Bill to enable more private sector participation in procurement and financing of petroleum products.